Quote:
Originally Posted by GOPony
Bark i agree with what you have here, but this is the law for having a gun, not the actuall CCW law. I beleive there is actualy a portion of the CCW law that states you can not be "impaired" and conceal carry. But there is no set limit for "impaired". Why i avoid it totally is because of the point you mentioned, about a gun incident but also because with a law that is unclear you can get a anti LEO or PA to push the issue, i would rather wait for someone else to pay for the lawyers than me. More than likely most reasonable people would assume .08 i'm just not willing to bey my jury will have reasonable people
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The title of the brochure I am quoting from the Highway Patrol is
Missouri Concealed Weapons Law! and it is a "user friendly" publication from the State Patrol for ease of understanding for the public. I understand it is not the actual state statute which you can find
here.
Obviously being "impaired" is highly subjective in nature lacking any specific citations in the law. Also, the right to self defense is also a universal and unalienable right. You do not give up your right to use lethal force to defend your life just because you have had one beer.
It all comes down to common sense! I have an attorney already and have spoken with him regarding the alcohol issue. As far as he is concerned and I am concerned, if I choose to have one or two beers or a glass of wine or one mixed "watered down" cocktail during a meal at a restaurant he is not going to have a problem proving I was not "impaired" at the time.
He knows me, my behavior and how I act in public. Sure, it's always going to be a crap shoot in court. However, I
rarely drink in public because I do carry a gun. Also, enjoying a nice $10 glass of wine while eating a $30 veal marsala in a fine Italian restaurant is not going to make me a public risk nor is it going to make me "impaired" by any stretch of the term, nor should I give up my right to defend myself in order to enjoy a nice dinner. I actually act fairly refined while in public. I over tip waiters, never cause a scene or get into arguments, I shine my shoes and wear clean clothes, I avoid conflict and confrontation at all costs. I open doors for people and say excuse me. I don't see it as being a problem.
I also know people who can't have one beer without having a dozen, fart in public, stiff the waitresses, make rude comments regarding food preparation and so on and so forth. I don't hang out with them much either. Especially when carrying a gun.
JMO, YMMV.